Witness life on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, lap up the sun at one of Vietnam’s most secluded islands and lose yourself in the narrow winding streets of Hoi An. Explore the cultural heritage of Hue, the colonial style of Hanoi and the vast open expanse of Halong Bay.
Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (D)
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, our guide will greet and accompany you to your hotel. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. Welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. The sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh begins with a visit to the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where everything and anything is for sale!
We then transfer out to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200 km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American war. Back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Mekong Delta - Can Tho (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for the Mekong Delta. We take a boat around the tributaries of the mighty Mekong River to give us a proper perspective of Delta life such as floating market, bonsai garden, and orchid fruits. Overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
Day 4: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Return to Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the snake farm on the way. The remainder of afternoon is free. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Mui Ne (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free until time transfer to Mui Ne, Phan Thiet province with the long beach and dunes. Here you have the day free for activities like swimming or snorkeling. Overnight at resort in Mui Ne.
Day 6, 7: Mui Ne - Free (B)
Free at your leisure on the beach.
Day 8: Mui Ne - Nha Trang (B)
Today we drive along the coast to the next destination, Nha Trang. The city famous for it's long beach and white sand. Here you can do as little or as much as you desire – from snorkeling or diving on the nearby reefs to lazing on the beach in the crescent-shaped lagoon. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 9: Nha Trang Full Day Boat Trip (B/L)
Full day boat cruise around the offshore islands of Nha Trang bay with ample opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Transfer back to hotel.
Day 10: Nha Trang Free (B)
Free time on the beach.
Day 11: Nha Trang - Quy Nhon (B)
Leave Nha Trang for Quy Nhon, famous for the Cham capital of Cha Ban from the 10th to the 15th century almost ruin. Ancient Cham remains including walls, moats, roads, statues, temples (Thap Thap & Canh Tien) can be found inside the ruins of Cha Ban. The Duong Long Towers (built in the 13th century) and the Banh It Towers (built in the 12th century) are also worth visiting for their exquisite architecture. Overnight in Quy Nhon.
Day 12: Hoi An (B)
Depart for Ancient Hoi An town, old port from the 17th century, effected by Japanese and Chinese architect. Stop over to visit the stone carving village of Non Nuoc, Marble Mountain. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 13: Hoi An Walking Tour (B/L)
Morning orientation tour of Hoi An’s historic old quarter. The remainder of the day is free to wander around the narrow windy streets of this charming of fishing town. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 14: Hoi An - Hue (B/L)
Leave the ancient town for Hue, the Old Royal city from 17th century under Nguyen Dynasty. Passing the Hai Van pass (Cloudy pass), Lang Co beach. Upon arrival, we spend this afternoon visiting the former Imperial citadel. Remainder of the day is free. Overnight in Hue.
Day 15: Hue Full Day Boat Trip (B/L)
Drive to Perfume river bank, we embark on boat for cruising along the river, visiting Thien Mu pagoda, Romantic Tu Duc Tomb, Majestic of Khai Dinh Tomb and Dong Ba market nearby river. Overnight in Hue.
Day 16: Hue - Quang Binh (B)
Leave Hue legend city for Quang Binh province. Stop on route to visit Vinh Moc Tunnels in the legendary DMZ and see how the Vietnamese warriors lived and fought under ground. Upon arrival Phong Nha, take boat trip to visit giant grotto of Phong Nha, one of the Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites reflecting a land and people that are known to few. Overnight in Quang Binh.
Day 17: Quang Binh - Ninh Binh (B)
Full day drive to the North of Vietnam for the next destination - Ninh Binh province. Overnight in Ninh Binh
Day 18: Hoa Lu - Tam Coc Cave - Hanoi (B/L)
Take a boat trip on the river to visit Tam Coc, known to travellers as Vietnam’s inland Halong Bay then get to know the interesting historical twist of Hoa Lu during Dinh Dynasty and early Le Dynasty in Vietnam. Proceed to Hanoi. Stay overnight in Hanoi
Day 19: Hanoi City Tour (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Our full day of sightseeing includes a visit to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's House, built on stilts in a traditional Vietnamese style. Continue on to visit One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius; and the former "Hanoi Hilton" prison, so named by American POWs during the war. After lunch, explore the fascinating maze of back streets on a pedicab ride through the Old Quarter. Evening enjoy an entertaining performance at the Water Puppet Theater, an art form that originated in northern Vietnam over 1000 years ago. End of the show and transfer to hotel.
Day 20: Hanoi - Halong - Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)
Transfer to Halong city for boat cruise on the Bay. Stop on route to admire the landscape picture, you might take picture of buffalo boy. Embark on Huong Hai Junk, check in registration. Boat crew will greet you with a special seafood lunch while the boat cruising around the bay to explore a fantastic view of the some 3, 000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim (If weather permits) in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Have dinner on board with Vietnamese wine and overnight on boat.
Day 21: Halong - Hanoi (B/L)
After breakfast, you can relax on deck to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the bay, boat passing the karsts islets like Man’s head island, Tortoise island, visiting Luon cave by small bamboo boat, Bai Tu Long bay. Have lunch on boat then return to Halong wharf for private car transfer to Hanoi. Free at leisure until our guide take you to Hanoi railway station for night train to Sapa. Overnight on train.
Day 22: Hanoi - Sapa (B)
Train arrives at Lao Cai Railway Station at around 06.00AM. Transferred to Sapa by private small bus. Have breakfast at the hotel or in the local restaurant (optional). Relax. Your guide will meet you at the hotel for short downhill walk to Cat Cat village, the village of the H'mong tribe in the valley, which remains very original and uninfluenced from other cultures. Excellent views of the valley, the magnificent limestone and paddy fields of H'mong village. Enjoy some visits to local families and reach their customs. After the village and further down into the valley, the Cat Cat waterfall will be visible. A "white curtain" cascade appears, in the flowery valley and deep-green pines. The rocks near the river and waterfall provide a marvelous place for picturesque photos and sunbathing during good weather… Have dinner at a local restaurant and then discover Sapa in night. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 23: Sapa - Trekking to the villages (B/L)
Today we have enough time to visit the bustling Sapa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We then get well off the beaten track as we embark on a walk to explore this beautiful mountain region and the culture of the ethnic minority in this area. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 24: Sapa - Lao Chai - Tan Van (B)
Breakfast before private jeep transferring you to Lao Chai village, a village of Black H’mong. Short walk down to the river to visit a hill tribe house, experiencing their life style and the local women making their handicraft and clothes. Further along the road, the Ta Van is the village where the Dzay people live. See the village and their customs. Return to Lao Cai for night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Day 25: Hanoi - Departure (B)
AftTrain arrives at Hanoi railway station at 05: 00. Free in the morning until time transferred to Noi Bai airport for flight back home.
